Island



PATENTED JAN. 26, 1904.

W. A. SUDDARD.

MOTORBIGYGLB.

APPLICATION FILED 81121223. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

. ATTORNEY.

WITNESSESI y MK UNITED STATES Iatented January 26, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A.- SUDDARD, or PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

MOTOR-BICYCLE.

SPECIFICAT ION forming part of Letters Patent No. 750,317, dated. January26, i904. Applibation filed September 23, 1903. Serial No.- 174=,813. (No model.)

'To all whom. it may concerrw .Be'it-known that I, W ILLIAMA. SUDDARD, a resident of the city of '-Providence,- in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Motor-Bicycles; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and

to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part ofthis specification.

This invention relates to that class of powerdriven vehicles more particularly known as the motor-bicycle.

The invention has for its objectthe construction of a combination-frame, one part of Which'is designed to carry the weight" of the motor and its attending mechanism, while the rider is carried on an auxiliary spring-supported frame extending rearwardly there- -from. Running-boards are also attached to the lower portion of this auxiliary frame, forming acomfortable platform on which to rest the feet and takea portion of the weight of the body.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the'same, as will be fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is.

presented in the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 isa side elevation of the machine. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the frame, showing the construction thereof in detail, also showing a modified form of connect.- ing the auxiliary frame to said main frame.

'Fig. 3 is a rear View of the machine, showing more clearly the auxiliary frame as hung on spiral springs.

' Referring to the drawings, the mainframe is particularly constructed to support the driv ing-motor'B, storage-tanks C, steering-wheel D, and all of the weight andmechanism necessary for the operation of a motor-driven bi cycle. A portion of the main frame, as best illustrated in Fig. 2, is especially constructed for the use of the steering mechanism. In the ordinary bicycle this portion of the frame is usually made in a triangular form, the upper part to receive the seat-post, one of the lower corners to receive the hub of the rear wheel, and the othercorner the pedal-shaft. In this case the constructionis entirely different, as the tube or. leg which in the old construction contained the seat-post I have reconstructed and use the same as a bearing for my steering-gear. The tube'a rises to the cross-bar a from the lower corner A, the hollow tube a extends up above the top of the frame and 'down through the top cross-bar A and through the fixture a, where its lower end is supported from the tube a by the brace a. By this construction of frame I cut out the upper portion of tube a, and a greater space is left for the storage-tank C. (See Fig. 1.) The motor-B is hung from one corner of this triangle and the. lower end of the arched tube A". The steering-wheel shaft (1 extends down through the tube a and has a segment 62' fixed to its-lower end. A wire cord d extends around this segment and leads forward to and around a similar device (2, fixed to the'fork of the front wheel. By this construction of frame and steering-spindle I am able to use thesteeringwheel I), a lever, handle-bars, or any other convenient means ofguiding the machine.

- In my auxiliary frame I preferably use the construction illustrated in Fig. 1, where the seat-supporting bar 'E is hinged to the main frame at e and supports the seat-post E in the bracket 0'. Pivoted at (f at the rear end of this bar E are depending tubes or rods F F, which rods extend down on either side of the rear wheel, as shown in Fig. 3. The lower end of each of these tubes is pivotally connected at g to a running-board G, which board is in turn pivoted to the frame at g at its forward end and is used for the purpose of mounting the .machine as a rest for the feet and also may be used' to support a portion of the weight of .the body. This auxiliary frame is supported on springs H H from lugs ff,

which lugs extend out laterally from the depending rods F F near their lower ends and engage the upper ends of said springs, These axle main frame near the journal of the rear wheel and have nuts on their lower ends for the adjusting of the tensionof said springs. \l'hile the coil-springs ll H are preferably used, (his auxiliary frame may be supported in various ways such, for instance, as the method illustrated in Fig. .2, which shows the leaf-spring M rigidly bolted to a lug m on the rear of the main frame, with its outer end supporting the seat-post E. The runningbom-ds (i also might be constructed of springsieel and rigidly secured at their forward ends to the main frame, thus forming two flat springs by which the frame with its weightmight be supported.

L is the foot-lever which controls the bandbrake K.

It has been found in riding the ordinary form of motor-bicycle where the rider sits on the main frame that the effects of the continuous jars and vibrations due to the explosions of the motor and the unevenness of the roads are transmitted ,to and felt very distinctly by the rider. This sensation is, to say the least, very disagreeable and often produces injurious results. The reason for this has been due to the rigidity of the frame connecting the forward and rear wheels, which rigidity is absolutely necessary in order to properly support the weight of the driving mechanism. Another very objectionablefeature is the extremely awkward position in which the feet are held on the pedals while riding on the ordinary machines. NIy improved construction obviates all of these difficulties by making an independent auxiliary spring-supported frame extending out rearwardly from the heavy mainframe for supporting the seat of the rider and placing at the lower end thereof a pair of running-boards. By this construction any style ofa seat or saddle may be used and the shocks and vibrations received by the rider will be reduced to a minimum, and any part or all of the weight of the body may be taken through the feet on the running-boards, whichare both on the same. plane and in the best possible position to receive the same. All the weight and mechanismpf the machine is in front-and in sightof the rider, so in case of an accident he can easily step off at the rear and let the machine go. The usual and easiest way for starting one of these motor-bicycles is to connect the motor with the high-speed gear and push the machine along the ground until the motor is started, then mount to the seat by stepping on the running-board, or, if it is desired to start the motor without moving the bicycle, an ordinary 'crank may be used to start the motor the same as with the automobile-engine. By the use of this arrangement of seat, footboard, and steering gear the rider may sit upright in a comfortable position and have the machine at all times under perfect control.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. in a motor-driven bicycle, the combination of a main frame for supporting the pro polling mechanism, an independent springsupported auxiliary frame for supporting the rider, substantially as described.

in a motor-driven bicycle, the combination of a. main frame for support-ing the weight of the propelling mechanism and steering mechanism, an independent spring-supported auxiliary frame, rearwardly extending from said main frame for carrying the rider, substantially as described.

3. In a motor-driven bicycle the combination of a main frame for supporting the weight of the propelling mechanism and steering mechanism, an independent auxiliary frame, rearwardly extending from said main frame for carrying the rider, a spring for supporting said auxiliary frame, substantially as described.

4. In a motor-d riven bicycle the combination of a main frame, a tube in said main frame forming the forward leg of the rear triangle, said tube being open at 5 is upper and lower ends for the purpose of receiving the steering-wheel shaft, an independent springsupported auxiliary frame rearwardly extending from said main frame for carrying the rider, substantially as described.

-5. In a motor-driven bicycle, the combination of aznain frame, a tube in said main frame forming the forward leg of the rear triangle, said tube being open at its upper and lower ends for the purpose of receiving the steering-wheel shaft, an independent spring-supported auxiliary frame rearwardly extending from said frame for carrying the rider, running-boards connected to the lower portion of said auxiliary frame, substantially as described.

6. In a motor-driven bicycle the combination of a main frame, a tube in said main frame forming the forward leg of the rear triangle, said tube being open at its' upper and lower ends for the purpose of receiving the steeringwheel shaft, means connecting said steeringshaft with the'forward forks, an independent spring-supported auxiliary frame rearwardly extending from said main frame for carrying the rider, substantially as' described.

7 In a motor-driven bicycle the combination of a main frame, a tube in said main frame forming the forward leg of the rear triangle, said tube being open at its upper and lower ends for the purpose of receiving thelsteering wheel shaft, flexible means connecting the lower end of said steering shaft with the forks of the forward wheel, a spring-supported auxiliary frame rearwardly extending from said main frame for carrying the rider, said springs for supporting said auxiliary frame, substantially as described.

8. In a motor-driven bicycle, the combination of a main frame for supporting the weight {ion of a main frame for supporting the weight of the propelling mechanism and steering mechanism, an independent spring-supported auxiliary frame rearwardly extending from said main frame for carrying the rider, said springs for supporting said auxiliary frame, running-boards connected to the lower pertion of said auxiliary frame, substantially as described.

9. In a motor-driven bicycle, the combinathe combinationof a mainframe for supporting the Weight of the propelling and steering v "mechanism, an auxiliary frame including a seat-postsup.porting bar pivoted to the'main frame, depending rods pivotally connected tosaid supporting-bar,-running-boards pivoted Enters his disclaimer- Disqlaimerfzin Letters. Patent 750,317;

at one end to the lower end of said depending rods, the opposite end of said boards being pivoted to said main frame,.spring means for supporting all of said auxiliary frame, substantially as described.

' 11. In a device'of the character described,

ing the weight of the propelling and steering mechanism, an auxiliary frame including a seat-post-supporting bar pivoted to the main frame, depending rods pivotally connected to said-supporting-bar, running-boards pivoted at one end to the lower end of said depending rodsQthe opposite end of said boards being the combination of a main frame for supportpivoted to said mainframe, spiral springs supported from the main frame, means on said depending rods for engaging said spiral springs for supporting said auxiliary-frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 22d day of September, A; D. 1903.

WILLIAM A. SUDDARD.

In presence of HOWARD E. BARLOW 4 E. I. OGDEN.

DISCLAIMER.

750,317.-William A. Sudda'rd, Providence, a. I. M-o'ron-Brcronn; nary 26, 1904. Disclaimer filed March 18,1908, by patentee.

fTo claim 1 in said Letters latent which is in the following words, to wit: 1.".In a motor-driven bicycle,- the combination of a mainframe for supporting the I propellingmechanism, {an independent spring-supported auxiliary frame for supporting the. rider, substantially as described.[0ficial Gazette, March 81, 1908.]-

' Patent dated Jantion of a main frame for supporting the weight {ion of a main frame for supporting the weight of the propelling mechanism and steering mechanism, an independent spring-supported auxiliary frame rearwardly extending from said main frame for carrying the rider, said springs for supporting said auxiliary frame, running-boards connected to the lower pertion of said auxiliary frame, substantially as described.

9. In a motor-driven bicycle, the combinathe combinationof a mainframe for supporting the Weight of the propelling and steering v "mechanism, an auxiliary frame including a seat-postsup.porting bar pivoted to the'main frame, depending rods pivotally connected tosaid supporting-bar,-running-boards pivoted Enters his disclaimer- Disqlaimerfzin Letters. Patent 750,317;

at one end to the lower end of said depending rods, the opposite end of said boards being pivoted to said main frame,.spring means for supporting all of said auxiliary frame, substantially as described.

' 11. In a device'of the character described,

ing the weight of the propelling and steering mechanism, an auxiliary frame including a seat-post-supporting bar pivoted to the main frame, depending rods pivotally connected to said-supporting-bar, running-boards pivoted at one end to the lower end of said depending rodsQthe opposite end of said boards being the combination of a main frame for supportpivoted to said mainframe, spiral springs supported from the main frame, means on said depending rods for engaging said spiral springs for supporting said auxiliary-frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 22d day of September, A; D. 1903.

WILLIAM A. SUDDARD.

In presence of HOWARD E. BARLOW 4 E. I. OGDEN.

DISCLAIMER.

750,317.-William A. Sudda'rd, Providence, a. I. M-o'ron-Brcronn; nary 26, 1904. Disclaimer filed March 18,1908, by patentee.

fTo claim 1 in said Letters latent which is in the following words, to wit: 1.".In a motor-driven bicycle,- the combination of a mainframe for supporting the I propellingmechanism, {an independent spring-supported auxiliary frame for supporting the. rider, substantially as described.[0ficial Gazette, March 81, 1908.]-

' Patent dated Jan- DISCLAIMER.

750,317. William A. Suddard, Providence, B. I. Mo'ron-BwYoLn. nary 26, 1904. Disclaimer filed March 18, 1908, by patentee.

Patent dated J an- Entex s his disclaimer To claim 1 in said Letters Patent which is in the following words, to win:

1. In a motor-driven bicycle, the combination of a main frame for supporting the propelling mechanism, an independent spring-supported auxiliary frame for supporting the rider, substantially as described.[Qfiicial Gazette, March 81, 1908.] 

